NHTSA — Electrical System Problems

2018 Subaru Outback (Page 5 of 12)

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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
11,229 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2018 Subaru Outback electrical problems

electrical problem

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2018 Subaru Outback Owner Comments (Page 5 of 12)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #151

Jun 022021

Outback

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Battery keeps failing and needing jump start. Liftgate has failed and makes continuous loud beeping while driving. Liftgate seems to drain battery leaving car with dead battery.

- Mckinleyville, CA, USA

problem #150

Jun 042021

Outback

  • miles
I have been having battery issues with my 2018 Subaru Outback. Ended up replacing the battery with a new one and am still have issues with the car draining the battery to dead if not run for a few days.

- Emeryville , CA, USA

problem #149

May 262021

Outback

  • miles
Ongoing problem with battery draining. The vehicle was bought new in 2018, and has only 13,450 miles. Contacted Subaru, they deny that there has been any issue. They did comp me with a $500 Goodwill Parts & Service Coupon. I now carry a small lithium charger at all times. I'm not too happy about this.

- Ramona, CA, USA

problem #148

Sep 052020

Outback

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The car failed to start after being left for a few minutes in a store parking lot. I had called for help, made one more attempt to start it. It started (barely) so I drove it to the dealer a few blocks away. I was told that my battery tested bad 180 CCA vs 490 specified. They replaced it under warranty (no charge). Weather was mild, not cold or hot. I had purchased the car new 2 years 5.5 months before this incident. I did not think much of it at the time, but recently learned that there were other reports of this problem with this vehicle. I have started using a battery maintainer charger once a week to keep the battery fully charged.

- Bloomington, MN, USA

problem #147

May 042021

Outback

  • miles
Battery Looses Charge after sitting for a week.

- Sayreville, NJ, USA

problem #146

Apr 032021

Outback

  • miles
Trunklid found open, Nowhere near car to actuate it with keyfob 3 times since purchase. First two were given benefit of doubt to accidently actuating.Also battery has been completely drained coincidently in the same time period. After some research found that this is been a common problem With some Subaru owners. Call to Subaru dealership and corporate And set it must be a malfunction And told it must be a malfunction car is 800 miles past warranty and have not taken to dealership as of yet. I have learned of a class action lawsuit regarding this battery drain but Subaru did not acknowlege. For lack of mileage details approx 2 years first incident then twice in the last year.As stated earlier I thought it was operator error until 3rd time and I researched the problem.

- Hailey, ID, USA

problem #145

Dec 102018

Outback

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

1) Battery drain issue when liftgate spuriously opens and completely drains battery resulting in an inoperable car. 2) This issue above and perhaps other unknown electrical issue(s) has resulted in a bad battery after only 3yrs (30K miles).

- Woodinville, WA, USA

problem #144

Apr 102019

Outback

  • miles
I have had considerable starting and battery trouble with my 2018 Subaru Outback... Shortly after purchasing the Outback, I had to get a jump start a couple of times, I thought it was my fault due to leaving a light on in the back of the cabin. When I took it in for the 1st oil change, I told the service manager. So since they knew me (It was my 4th Subaru), they checked the system cleaned the post, and I left. I was back 3 or 4 weeks later to get a new battery. I went back this week because I've had to buy jumper cables So I could jump my car off for the 6th or 7th time since I brought it in to get the new battery last year. I understand that there have been a large number of folks experiencing similar problems, and I thought it would be best to add my voice.

- Augusta, GA, USA

problem #143

May 052021

Outback

  • miles
My 3 year old outback is on its third battery. The first died when the car was 11 months old. Then in summer 2020 (car was 2 years old) I had to put in the 3rd battery. I installed an aftermarket battery since Subaru was closed at the time of the issue. Now this third battery is being inconsistent in starting or seeming as if there-??s a dead battery. The battery, alternator, and starter, test as 100% functional. My dealership told me in a May 6th phone call that there was nothing wrong with my car, that I just needed a stronger battery. That would make the 4th battery in a 3 year old car. I was advised to purchase a charging jump pack and carry it with me every day. This is not a viable solution for a car that has to be jump started 1-2 times each day! Sometimes the issue is after long periods of driving, other times the car has been on short drives only. A local repair shop believes the issue is computer or fuse box related. My dealership disagrees. Yet I know that there are class action lawsuits against this model that read as if they are describing the issue with my own vehicle.

- Crestwood, IL, USA

problem #142

Apr 202021

Outback

  • 10,202 miles
Automobile would not start ignition on lights flickered battery was on the verge of dying had to jump start it to get going in the morning of course it was stationary in the garage in a very tough location

- Sioux Falls, SD, USA

problem #141

Oct 032020

Outback

  • 14,657 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Battery prematurely dead. No crank, no start.10-03-2020 parked in a lot. Jump started. Took to Subaru dealer, technician inspected and found battery functioning as designed and passed load test. Extreme amount of corrosion on battery terminal removed. A few days later, did not start, more corrosion on battery terminal. Jump started. Technician informed driver to take on long drives to charge the battery. Vehicle with 14,600 miles. Long drives in excess of 20 minutes taken just to charge battery. A few days later battery left driver again stranded, jump started. New battery purchased for $178.04.

- Plymouth, MI, USA

problem #140

May 092021

Outback

  • 18,000 miles
Purchased vehicle in new condition in 2018. From there on forward, I've experienced problems with the radio system not wanting to work. There was no sound output. We thought it had to do with the radio satellite itself, but overtime the real issue was uncovered. After only 6 months with a brand new battery, my vehicle would not start. I'd later learn the battery depleted prematurely, and all the dealer auto shop would recommend is buying a new battery. The radio worked just fine after each time I've purchased and replaced my car battery. Now having replaced the battery twice for $197 each time, I've learned this is only a band aid fix that would last 6-12 months. I have saved my receipts but did not attach those as they contain personal info.

- Keizer, OR, USA

problem #139

May 082021

Outback

  • miles
I have a fairly new oem Subaru battery in my 2018 Outback. It continues to drain unexpectedly. I know about the tailgate problem. Also, I turn everything electrical (that's possible) off in the car when it's garaged. The battery often fails to start the car when it's unused for a few days ' even after previously driving long distances.

- Liberty, MO, USA

problem #138

May 012021

Outback

  • 30,850 miles
I was parking my 2018 Subaru Outback premium next to my house on my parking spot, my foot was on a brake pedal, it left around 50'' to complete a parking, like suddenly my car start moving forward even that I was strongly pressing brake pedal, car went over curb and hit a palm tree that is next to my parking spot. Car suddenly accelerated and I was not able to control the car. Car front bumper, grill, radiator was damaged. Today, my car is in body shop. It was very scare experience. From my background I am driving 12 years without any car accident.

- Plantation, FL, USA

problem #137

Feb 232021

Outback

  • 13,000 miles
The oem battery was failing to hold a charge and died one day after driving a short distance. Had to have a local tow service come and jumpstart the car. Took the car to the local dealer and they needed to charge the battery.

- Ballston Spa, NY, USA

problem #136

Oct 292020

Outback

  • 39,000 miles
The battery prematurely drains when driven for multiple short trips. It also drains while sitting if it is not frequently driven for medium-length trips.

- Dufur, OR, USA

problem #135

Apr 262021

Outback

  • 28,000 miles
This car is less than 3 years old, 28000 miles and the battery has been replaced 3 times and the alternator once. The battery died again on 4/26/21 and won't hold a charge and so I will be taking it in again and they will probably just replace the battery again. There is obviously something else wrong.

- Centreville, VA, USA

problem #134

Mar 092021

Outback

  • 29,000 miles
I purchased this 2018 Outback in late November of 2020 with 27000 miles on it. After only driving it about 1500 miles the battery suddenly died (March 2021). Aaa jumped it but said it was dead. I replaced it immediately (went 1 mile down the road) and the shop said that it was dead as well. No warning at all. Was working fine, parked at a store, ten minutes later went to start it and there was nothing. I spent $170 getting a new battery/installation.

- Bradford, VT, USA

problem #133

Apr 152021

Outback

  • 25,000 miles
Battery appears to have parasitic drain which results in inability to start the vehicle if not driven long distances regularly. I purchased the vehicle from a local Subaru dealer in October 2020 and have had to jump it or charge the battery at least 6 or 8 times. The vehicle is not a reliable source of transportation (cannot leave at airport for instance) and I've had to purchase jumper cables and will soon purchase a trickle charger and a battery booster to use until the problem is resolved.

- Urbana, OH, USA

problem #132

Mar 152021

Outback

  • 44,000 miles
Battery has gone dead twice, almost 3 times. The car was stationary.

- Bonney Lake, WA, USA

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